Table of Contents
Introduction
Black gram, commonly known as “Urad dal” is one of the most important pulses grown in India. It is a staple in Indian households and a key ingredient in dishes like dal makhani, idli, dosa, and vada. Beyond its culinary significance, black gram plays a crucial role in sustainable farming by enriching soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Its high protein and fiber content make it a valuable source of nutrition, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
Black gram farming is widely practiced across India due to its adaptability to various climatic conditions and soil types. Now, let us explore the top 10 black gram-producing states in India for the year 2021-22 in detail.

Top 10 Black Gram-Producing States in India
- Madhya Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Maharashtra
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Jharkhand
- Telangana
- West Bengal

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh ranks first in black gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 884.60 kilotonnes. Black gram is cultivated over an area of approximately 16,170 km² in the state. The major black gram-producing regions in Madhya Pradesh are Chhatarpur, Sagar, and Damoh.
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh ranks second in black gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 424.68 kilotonnes. The crop is cultivated over 4,010 km² in the state. The major black gram-producing regions in Andhra Pradesh include Krishna, Prakasam, and Bapatla.
Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh holds the third position in black gram production in 2021-22, recording 291.50 kilotonnes. Black gram cultivation spans approximately 5,610 km² across the state. The key black gram-producing regions in Uttar Pradesh include Jhansi and the Bundelkhand region.
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks fourth in black gram production in 2021-22, with an output of 268.72 kilotonnes. The crop is grown over 4072.5 km². The major black gram-producing regions in Tamil Nadu include Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, and Cuddalore.
Maharashtra

Maharashtra stands fifth in black gram production in 2021-22, contributing 211.20 kilotonnes. Black gram farming covers approximately 4,363.1 km² in the state. The key black gram-producing regions in Maharashtra include the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan ranks sixth in black gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 155.50 kilotonnes. The crop is cultivated over 4,248.6 km² in the state. The major black gram-producing regions in Rajasthan include Kota, Bundi, and Baran.
Gujarat

Gujarat stands seventh in black gram production in 2021-22, recording 130.01 kilotonnes. Black gram farming is carried out across 1,803.7 km² in the state. The key black gram-producing regions in Gujarat include Bharuch and Junagadh.
Jharkhand

Jharkhand ranks eighth in black gram production in 2021-22, with an output of 120.39 kilotonnes. The crop is cultivated over 1,333.3 km². The major black gram-producing regions in Jharkhand include West Singhbhum, Palamu, and Gumla.
Telangana

Telangana holds the ninth position in black gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 65.55 kilotonnes. Black gram farming covers an area of 580 km² in the state. The key black gram-producing regions in Telangana include Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, and Gadwal.
West Bengal

West Bengal ranks tenth in black gram production in 2021-22, contributing 50.17 kilotonnes. Cultivation extends across 730.3 km² in the state. The major black gram-producing regions in West Bengal include Murshidabad, Nadia, and Purulia.

Top 10 States Based on Black Gram Productivity
- Uttarakhand
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Manipur
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Kerala
Fun Facts About Black Gram
- Black gram improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, making it an excellent choice for crop rotation.
- Besides being consumed as dal, black gram is also used to make flour, papad, sprouts, and traditional fermented foods like idli and dosa batter.
- It is rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals, making it a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.
- The crop is highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for cultivation in semi-arid regions.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state is the largest producer of black gram in India?
A. Madhya Pradesh ranked first in black gram production in India in 2021-22.
Q. Which state ranks second in black gram production in India?
A. Andhra Pradesh secured the second position in black gram production in India in 2021-22.
Q. What are the top five black gram-producing states in India?
A. The top five black gram-producing states in India in 2021-22 were Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Q. Which state has the largest area under black gram cultivation in India in 2021-22?
A. Madhya Pradesh had the largest area under black gram cultivation in India in 2021-22.
Q. What was the total area under black gram cultivation in India?
A. The total area under black gram cultivation in India in 2021-22 was approximately 46,334.7 km².
Q. Which state had the highest black gram productivity in India in 2021-22?
A. Uttarakhand recorded the highest black gram productivity in India in 2021-22.
Q. What is the scientific name of black gram?
A. The scientific name of black gram is Vigna mungo.
Q. To which botanical family does black gram belong?
A. Black gram belongs to the botanical family Fabaceae.
Q. What are the common Indian names for black gram?
A. Black gram is known as Urad Dal, Minapa Pappu, Ulundhu, and Kalai Dal in different regions of India.
